We made it to 2026!! I hope it becomes a fantastic year for you 🙂

At this time there’s usually lots of talk of making resolutions and reviewing the past 12 months.

January 1st rolls around and it’s easy to get a sense that if you haven’t decided to reinvent your life, then you’re a slacker.

But as we know, there’s no magic that automatically appears on January 1st.

WE have to bring the magic ourselves.

And we can start any day we like, whether on Jan 1, Feb 2, March 3 or whenever. Whew – what a relief!!

Two skills you’ll want in 2026: discernment and doggedness

I’ve been thinking a lot about two skills that are going to be super valuable in the coming year:

• Discernment: being able to pause and decide what’s true, what’s useful, what’s manipulation, and what’s just noise.
• Doggedness: staying on your path when you know it’s right for you, even if the internet, the headlines, or the people around you are trying to pull you off course.

These days, it’s not just friends or colleagues influencing you. There’s a swathe of content out there designed to provoke, misinform and unsettle us all.

So when I say you bring the magic, I also mean:

• You decide what you give your attention to
• You decide what “progress” looks like for you
• You decide when you change, and why
• You don’t outsource your direction to a date on a calendar just because everyone says you should.

A quick look behind the scenes

This January, I’ll be in Central America for 10 days as an enrichment lecturer on a cruise, speaking on personal growth and communication. I’ll be delivering a variety of 40-minute interactive sessions on sessions such as:

• Personal growth foundations
• Exploring emotional intelligence
• The power of empathy
• Become a courageous communicator
• Learn to ask for what you want and bounce back from rejection
• Big talk, small talk: winning strategies for effective communication
• Develop the confidence to go for your goals

Years ago, I went on my first cruise and there were lecturers on topics like the mollusc population of the Canary Islands.

And I remember thinking, “Who on earth is going to those talks?”

In a plot twist, I’m the lecturer now… And I’m wondering who’ll come along to my talks!

But honestly, I’m more excited about the talks than the cruise. Although the topics are foundational, it’s essential to review the basics from time to time.

Each of them supports the journey towards emotional audacity: the skill to be authentically, powerfully human while giving others the space to be the same.

Every employer should want a workplace full of emotionally intelligent, empathetic, grounded communicators.

It’s good for collaboration, productivity, and every other aspect of business. Reach out if you think any of these talks, or the entire series, would go down well at your workplace.

Bringing in the magic

Back to the theme of bringing the magic. Here are two simple exercises for you to try.

They’re designed to help you feel headed in the right direction, less pulled around by outside noise, and more audaciously human in how you move through the year.

Exercise 1: Borrow freedom from what’s already working

One of the simplest personal development tools is the Wheel of Life. It shows you, at a glance, what’s going well in your life, and what might need some attention.

If you want to try it, here’s an interactive version: https://wheeloflife.noomii.com

And if you don’t, you can still do the exercise below without it.

The key idea is this: many of us are thriving in one part of life, and feeling stuck or heavy in another.

• You might be the hotshot SVP at work, but your relationship with your kids is suffering.
• You might be technically brilliant, but your health is struggling.
• You might be calm and confident socially, but anxious about money.

For me, health is a strong area right now. I’ve built a solid routine over the last couple of years. I play tennis regularly and started lifting weights a couple of years ago (but still find it very boooring!)

But my relationship with one of my siblings has always been a bit strained.  If I let my mind run away with itself, it turns towards fear of rejection, feeling powerless, and old baggage.

So the question I’m practising is:

What if I approached that relationship with the same freedom and lightness I bring to my wellbeing?

Some people call this exercise ‘shapeshifting’, others call it ‘borrowing freedom’. Regardless, give it a try.

Step-by-step: borrow freedom

1. Choose one area of your life that feels good right now. Where you feel capable, steady, or free.
2. Choose one area that feels constrained. Where there’s baggage, avoidance, dread, or “ugh”.
3. Name the feeling in the strong area. Freedom? Ease? Confidence? Momentum? Joy?
4. Ask: “If I brought that feeling into the stuck area, how would it feel?” Allow yourself to soften and warm to things being different than they’ve been in the past.
5. What’s one action you can take in the next day or two? Can you send a message, make a note, ask a question or reach out with the expectation of a positive outcome?

Exercise 2: Reclaim strength and inspiration from your past self

At this time of year, it’s tempting to assess the future and decide you need to become a whole new person.

But if you only look forward, you can easily ignore all the progress and learning from the past.

A few weeks ago I found some old, very amateurish songwriting files and lyrics I wrote more than 10 years ago. It was unexpectedly uplifting, because I remembered:

• That the former version of me was still whole in her own way. Tapping back into that old work with a sense of appreciation rather than judgment was very inspiring.
• And some of the ideas I had back then were ones that wouldn’t occur to me today.

Looking back doesn’t mean living in the past. It means collecting evidence that you’re not behind, or lacking.

You’ve been building steadily and everything you’ve done makes you the powerful human you are today.

Step-by-step: reclaim past strengths

1. Pick a past chapter of your life. One year ago, five years ago, ten years ago, whatever comes to mind.
2. Find a few “receipts”. Notes, photos, emails, files, journals, old work, creative projects, feedback from others.
3. Answer these three questions:
4. Write one sentence to acknowledge the past you. Something simple and true: “You kept going.” “You were braver than you thought.” “Your work was creative, edgy and full of life.”
5. Bring one of those strengths into this week on purpose. Not because it’s January but because this is a great reminder that you’re already whole and accomplished.

To check out my LinkedIn post on the topic, take a look here. And if we’re not connected already, please shoot me a request. I’d love that. 🙂

Resources for you

Here are a few resources and links that explore the themes of renewal, goals, values and more…

This Forbes article suggests NY goals are ‘depressing’ and urges a different approach. See what you think:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/prudygourguechon/2019/01/01/why-you-should-ditch-depressing-new-years-resolutions-and-do-this-instead

This article discusses the benefit of reconnecting with our values rather than setting goals:

https://www.lyrahealth.com/blog/getting-in-touch-with-your-values-for-the-new-year

And this quick (sub-10 minute) video interview with superstar professor, author and psychologist, Adam Grant, has plenty of beneficial suggestions, including thinking about contribution as a way to decide on our priorities in life:

https://www.today.com/video/adam-grant-shares-tips-to-unlock-your-hidden-potential-in-2026-255400517680

One last question to leave you with

If you’re bringing the magic this year (or any time), what does that actually mean for you?

• Is it discernment, so you’re not pulled around by noise and hype?
• Is it doggedness, so you stay the course when you know it’s right?
• Is it deciding your own pace, instead of being pushed into someone else’s urgency?
• Is it choosing your “new year” start date, whenever that is?

Whatever it is, I hope these two exercises help!

And if you try either one, comment or send me a DM and tell me what you noticed. I’d genuinely love to hear it.

Warmly,

Shola

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Hi, I’m Shola and I help you create a people-first culture. My work sits at the intersection of Inclusion, Communication & Emotional Intelligence.

My keynote talks and workshops help your leaders and employees create high-performing work environments where people feel a sense of belonging and psychological safety. Sessions are high energy, interactive, and every participant walks away with at least one practical framework for connecting and collaborating more effectively.

Sound good to you? Please reach out and let’s discuss your next event! 🙂🎤✨